2020 Africa Safari and Tour

Add-Ons

Pre-tour Johannesburg - Hotel and Transfers – November 18

$232 per person/per night based on double occupancy
$350 per night based on single occupancy

17 or 18 November: Meet and greet at Johannesburg Airport (JNB) and transfer to the Marriott African Pride Hotel in Melrose Arch.

One or two nights of accommodation including breakfast and all taxes.

Return transfer to Johannesburg Airport (JNB) for group flight on November 19th.

Devil’s Pool & Livingstone Island – November 20

Victoria Falls

$200 Per Person (may combine with zip line, canopy and gorge swing)

Dr. David Livingstone was paddled in a dugout canoe through swift rapids towards the roar and rising cloud of mist suspended above a cliff over which the whole of the Zambezi River plunged.

The Makololo paddlers skillfully landed him on ‘Goat Island’ (now Livingstone Island) right on the lip of the chasm. A few steps through the small rainforest and, on the 16th November 1855, he gazed upon one of the most spectacular sights in the world – ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ (The Smoke that Thunders) which he named after his Queen as The Victoria Falls.

Livingstone Island is a 5-8 minutes boat ride from the Royal Livingstone Hotel and is located in the middle of the Zambezi River, touching the lip of the Victoria Falls, where the water thunders down the 103m (338 foot) drop. Access to this unique Island is seasonal and depends entirely on the water level in the Zambezi River. All visits to the island are during the ‘low water’ season, which usually begins in mid July and goes through to the end of January.

The trip includes a short guided tour of the island, an incredible view from the lip the Victoria Falls, a dip in Devil’s Pool and an al fresco breakfast.

(Water shoes or shoes that can get wet are recommended. Excursion requires walking over uneven, rocky terrain and moderate to high physical activity, ability to swim not required, but must be comfortable in the water.)

Zipline – November 20

Not for the feint of heart, this is the longest zip line ride in the world, and such an incredible experience that you can’t help wishing it could be longer.

The cable, which is suspended across 425 meters, (1,394 feet) plunges between the lips of the gorge and up the other side in an enormous U shape. A safety guide will gently ease you off the platform so that you sit in the harness and let your legs dangle over the raging river. It is a moment of intense anticipation and expectation. Then, your guide will count you down to one of the most memorable adventures of your life. When your harnesses released, you will whiz through the air at 106 km per hour (66 mph). As you pick up speed, the world becomes a green and blue blur, while every cell in your body screams with excitement.

When the initial rush is over, you will hang in the chasm of the gorge, surveying the zig zag of the rapids below, the brilliant blue sky above, and the dark gorge flecked in green on either side of you. A safety guide is winched down to secure your harness to his and take you back to the platform. One ride is all it takes to be hooked for life.

Gorge Swing – November 20

This is only for the bravest among us with absolutely no fear of heights and is akin to bungee jumping.

It is amazing how the things that make our hearts skip a beat, are the things that make us feel most alive. If you have done the gorge swing, you know this better than anyone. The moment you find yourself on a wooden platform that peers into the chasm of the gorge, is the moment you realize that fear doesn’t shut you down; it wakes you up. The gorge swing is a 70 meter (230 foot) free fall that ends with an almighty swing 120 meters (394 feet) above the powerful Zambezi river.

The Gorge Swing will literally take your breath away as you soar through the air, leaving your fears and trepidation on the platform far behind you. A pulley will slowly pull you back to reality, giving you time to wrap your head around the exhilarating experience while you appreciate the immense beauty of the gorge, the river, and the life within it.

Though the fall lasts three seconds, the memory of falling through open African air lasts a lifetime.

Canopy Tour – November 20

The canopy offers amazing views of Zambezi rapids, Victoria Falls Bridge & the spray of the Falls. Observe the forest from a variety of different vantage points – from above, below and within the canopy itself. Experience forest bird-life, which can include the Knysna and Purple crested Turaco (Lourie) and Peregrine Falcons. This tour offers a network of slides, trails and rope bridge walkways within the canopy of the hardwood forest of the Zambezi gorges.

This experience is suitable to most everyone with unique birds-eye view of one the seven natural wonders of the world. The tour consists of nine slides, varying in length and 1 cable bridge walkway. The longest slide is about 85 meters (279 feet) long and the shortest 40 meters (131 feet) in length. The friendly and experienced staff will give you a detailed safety briefing before, taking you step by step through your upcoming adventure. There are two guides on each tour and the activity lasts for between two to two and a half hours.

Shark Cage Diving (full day) – November 28

Cape Town

$220 per guest

(Departure time for tour is weather dependent and is set the day prior to the tour. In the event the tour is canceled due to poor weather you will received a refund)

Going Great White Shark Diving in South Africa and more specifically a trip on the Slashfin, is a combination of goosebump thrills, education and relaxation on a luxury boat in the company of experienced experts and researchers! They will show you how to distinguish between a male and female shark and how to identify a specific shark by its unique dorsal fin and scars. The 20 – 25 minute boat trip to where the activity is to take place, is by itself an exhilarating adventure. On any given day, we also usually see at least two or more members of the Marine Big Five – sharks, dolphins, whales, seals and penguins, as well as several bird species.

Named after a legendary 3,3 m male shark with a very distinctive dorsal fin, the Slashfin is a unique, multi-million rand aluminium boat custom designed for speed, stability, safety and space and can comfortably accommodate 40 passengers and the crew at a time.

Robben Island Tour (half day) – November 28

Cape Town

$35 Per Person

(Note this tour is weather dependent)

From the 17th to the 20th centuries, Robben Island served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment. Today it is a World Heritage Site and museum, a poignant reminder of the price paid for freedom. The excursion includes a return ferry to the island, a bus tour on the island and of the prison.

Table Mountain* (half day) – November 28

Cape Town

$70 Per Person (minimum 2 guests)

The panoramic views from the top of Table Mountain’s 3,563-foot (1,086-meter) peak are well worth the climb—though you won’t have to break a sweat thanks to the mountain’s two cableways, each with a revolving car ferrying passengers to the summit. Once at the top, a series of hiking trails show off Table Mountain National Park’s geographic features. Includes round trip transportation from the hotel as well as round trip cableway tickets. This is an unguided visit, you will be on your own to explore and will coordinate your return pick-up with the transfer driver.

*Cable way may not operate due to high winds. In this event you will have two more opportunities to use the tickets. Considering the Brand g trip ends on the next day, you therefore may not be able to participate unless you have extended your trip. No refunds will be provided for unused tickets.